“Pest animals pose significant threat to threatened species and ecological communities, with feral pigs alone impacting on 361 species and ecological communities listed as nationally threatened.”

The draft plan has been developed collaboratively with the Riverina Regional Pest Animal Committee and Riverina Local Land Services.

Mr Kelly said the plan prioritised pest animals in the region, based on the level of impact and outlined how government agencies, community groups and individual landholders would share responsibility and work together to prevent, eradicate, contain and manage the impacts of pest animals.

“The management of pest animals in the Riverina is a complex and challenging situation which cannot be ignored. We can only win the fight against pest animals by working in partnership,” he said.

“The consultation period is an opportunity for stakeholders, organisations and interested community members to provide feedback on the management of pest animals in our region and across the state.”

Information sessions are being held across the region to explain how the plan was developed, what it means for the region and how provide input into the final plan.